Jannik Sinner‘s rise has been one of the stories of the season so far. The 22-year-old has been in sensational form since the start of the season. He is the most successful player on the Tour so far in terms of titles won, with three to his name.
The biggest of all remains the 2024 Australian Open. Making his season debut directly at the Grand Slam tournament, the Italian didn’t drop a set until the semis. Defending champ Novak Djokovic narrowly won a set against him to avoid the humiliation of a straight-set defeat.
(L) Adriano Panatta; (R) Jannik Sinner (Via Imago)
In the finals, Daniil Medvedev raced to a 2-0 lead, but Sinner didn’t lose hope. He made an epic comeback to clinch the title and win his maiden singles Major title. Following the win at Down Under, Sinner won the ATP-500 title in Rotterdam and continued his winning streak at the Indian Wells Masters as well.
He was 16-0 for the season before meeting Carlos Alcaraz in the Indian Wells semis. The Spaniard, however, managed to defeat his rival before going on to successfully defend his title. Sinner, however, won the Miami Masters a fortnight later to get back on the winning track and become the new World No. 2.
Wanting to praise the youngster, former French Open winner Adriano Panatta penned a heartfelt note. He called Sinner ‘the greatest baselin hitter’ in the last two decades. But more than the beauty of his technical gameplay, Panatta was impressed by the reputation that the 22-year-old has already created.
He's a phenomenon to watch, Sinner, certainly the greatest baseline hitter of the last twenty years. But I'm not surprised by how many beautiful technical, tactical, and mental things he has added to his tennis, rather I'm surprised by the reaction of his opponents.Wrote Panatta, for OK Tennis.
Panatta also expressed his concern for the mental state of Sinner’s opponents. He found them giving up even before the match was over, handing a big advantage to World No. 2.
I see them devastated, because they have discovered, or are discovering, the anguish of having to meet him. Most go onto the court already out of breath, feeling nervous. In fact, already beaten. Djokovic, Medvedev, and in the Miami final also Dimitrov, who has really good tennis.Added the 73-year-old.
Adriano Panatta has complete faith in Jannik Sinner becoming the World No. 1
The win in Miami saw Sinner become the first Italian player, male or female, to break into the Top 2 of the rankings. Although he still trails World No. 1 Djokovic by more than 1000 ranking points, he is inching closer to the top spot.
His rival Alcaraz has already spent 36 weeks at the top, and the two are involved in a close battle. But Panatta has confidence in Sinner scaling the top of the rankings.
The boy, one piece at a time, took over Italian tennis, his records, all of them, and it is natural that sooner or later he would also rise to the top of world tennis. He has the ability to do so, with the little bit of shots he throws.Added Panatta.
The veteran also praised the 22-year-old’s passion to improve every day despite the success. With a 22-1 record for the season so far, Sinner is now a heavy favorite for the 2024 French Open title as well and could well become the World No. 1 if he wins it.
Indeed, he is already at a good point, after being fourth in the ranking for a few weeks, then third, now he is second. He must be acknowledged that the objectives he talks about, the ones he really wants to achieve, are different. He aims for his own growth, he wants to become a better tennis player every day.concluded Panatta.
The World No. 2 is now gearing up for the 2024 Monte-Carlo Masters. 11-time champ Rafael Nadal announced his withdrawal from the event yesterday,, easing things for others. Sinner made the semis at the tournament last year and will look to go all the way this year.
